OUR MISSION

Catholic in Recovery is a nonprofit organization that seeks to serve those suffering from addictions and unhealthy attachments (including alcoholism, drug addiction, pornography addiction, sex and relationship addiction, compulsive overeating and food addictions, gambling addiction, codependency and the impact on family, and general fear, control, and anxiety).  The organization was started by the passion of Scott Weeman as he found healing and new life through the help of twelve-step recovery and the sacramental love and mercy provided by the Catholic Church. We support parishes and communities with group resources that draw people closer to these two powerful sources of grace. It is the aim of Catholic in Recovery to share the Good News that God can bring about healing and recovery, even in the most hopeless of cases.

CIR’s Three Rings of Healing: Fellowship, Freedom, & Faith

Recovery isn’t only about overcoming alcoholism (or any other addictive substance or behavior) but, rather, is about living with the freedom and joy that God desires for His beloved children. The solution CIR offers integrates three rings: fellowship, freedom, and faith. While these rings are separate and distinct from each other, they overlap to provide a holistic solution. Each one is necessary, and together they support your healing and freedom from alcoholism.

Fellowship: We don’t find healing alone—we do so in a community of fellow travelers. Just as we are connected as members of the body of Christ, so too are we connected in our healing journey from addiction.

Freedom: We find freedom, first and foremost, by grounding our trust in God and His grace. However, this entails doing our part to be receptive to that grace, which is where the wisdom of the Twelve Steps of recovery is key.

Faith: Through CIR retreats, spiritually-enriching books, faith-related resources, and connecting with a vibrant community of fellows committed to Christ, we strengthen our relationship with God. The principles of 12-step recovery are integrated with the wisdom of Catholic tradition to enable healing, freedom, and joy.

The solution we are proposing is not a new one—it’s one many have followed to find true healing. It relies on the wisdom of 12-step recovery and the grace-led tradition of the Catholic Church.

The goal of every encounter and interaction that one has with our organization is connection—connections with others who have struggled or still struggle from a similar state of hopelessness as well as connection to Jesus Christ, the Lord that delivers new life.  This organization was started as a call from God, and He will continue to be the source of all functions and organizational development as we reach out to serve parishes, communities, and individuals across the world.

Scott Weeman was born and raised in northeast Wisconsin where he enjoyed involvement in sports and activities with his friends and family. After high school he moved from a developing rural community to attend college in New York City after being awarded a scholarship for his participation in policy debate. At this point, his experience around drugs and alcohol started to spin out of control and, after a series of unconventional events, he found himself seeking the mercy of the Lord at age 26. Scott attributes this re-conversion to a very strong Catholic community at St. Brigid’s Parish in San Diego, CA, where he lives today. In addition, the experience, strength, and hope shared in recovery groups that he regularly attends has guided his own recovery, although imperfectly, one day at a time. An opportunity at a new way of life has brought Scott to a point where he is passionate about bringing the Good News to people who struggle to find healing from alcoholism and addictions. Blending both the spiritual tools made available to him through addiction recovery and the wisdom of the Catholic Church, he founded a nonprofit organization, Catholic in Recovery, to bring hope to those who struggle finding freedom from the bondage of their addictions. The organization also helps people from all walks of life strengthen their personal relationship with Jesus Christ through practical application of the principles of the twelve steps. Scott contributes to these efforts by writing on a variety of Catholic and twelve-step topics, speaking at events, and developing one-on-one relationships with those seeking help. Moreover, his first book, The Twelve Steps and the Sacraments: A Catholic Journey through Recovery, was published in November of 2017 by Ave Maria Press. In addition to forming new Christ-centered relationships, he enjoys a wide range of recreational activities including sports (golf, tennis, beach volleyball, football), cooking, hiking, reading, traveling, and relaxing over a pot of hot tea. Above all, Scott is blessed by his relationship with his wife, Jacqueline, who he met through the Catholic Church in San Diego and married in September of 2016.